Surf Guadeloupe delivers another masterclass at the Hossegor Champs: three national titles, ten podium finishes, and a prime spot in the top 3 among the delegations competing. With raw talent and sharp coaching, the Caribbean riders confirm that the archipelago produces not only punch, but also barrel-riding machines capable of setting the Landes north shore alight.
GuadaWave riders’ medal haul at the Hossegor Champs
The Caribbean delegation, fueled by the momentum of the Guadeloupe delegation, arrived with 57 competitors and claimed a haul worthy of the best editions:
- 3 national titles – the honors go to Martin Mouradian (open dropknee), Cheyenne Patino-Udeba (girls’ under-14 shortboard), and Matthew Maurin-Lignières (under-14 shortboard).
- 7 other podium finishes to complete the collection, including silver for Rose Calvez in girls’ under-16 shortboard and bronze for Anna Danielou in junior longboard.
- 13th title for Mouradian, the record holder in the dropknee discipline.
This performance propels GuadaWave to national phenomenon status, behind the major Aquitaine teams but ahead of most mainland leagues.
| Category | Champion | Medal | Home Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Dropknee | Martin Mouradian | Gold | WaveRiders |
| Girls’ Under-14 Shortboard | Cheyenne Patino-Udeba | Gold | Caraïbes Surf Club |
| Under-14 Shortboard | Matthew Maurin-Lignières | Gold | Océanik |
| Girls’ Shortboard Cadet | Rose Calvez | Silver | Aloha Gwada |
| Girls’ Longboard Junior | Anna Danielou | Bronze | Bleu Azur Surf |
To relive the decisive heats, the complete results details the heats, scores, and conditions. Each heat was marked by a 1.8 m WNW swell, morning offshore winds, and an ultra-consistent sandbar, perfect for committed maneuvers.
Coaches note that in the youngest division, a single missed carve could cost two places. Patino-Udeba understood this: a cutback + snap re-entry combo and a perfectly timed air at the end of the wave, totaling a fateful 16.40 points.
Spotlight on Guadeloupe’s outsiders
Beyond the medalists, several riders such as Léo Darquès and Maëva Selbonne came close to the final. The next step: joining the U18 development squad to gain experience on the European QS circuit.
- Precision backside top turn
- Wave reading ahead of the tide set
- Paddling endurance inspired by the “Champion’s Surf” training
This depth of talent opens up exciting prospects for 2026.
Keys to success: Caribbean training and club support
The archipelago’s ecosystem rests on four pillars:
- WaveRiders – a high-performance center focused on performance and video stats.
- Océanik – an experimental shaping lab, partner of Tropic Surfwear.
- Caraïbes Surf Club – U14 scouting and Bleu Azur Surf equipment sponsorship.
- Aloha Gwada – “ohana” culture and mental preparation.
Thanks to these structures, each competitor arrives in Hossegor with:
- At least two quivers – step-up and groveler.
- Advanced reading of cyclonic swell alerts.
- Feed-Back Loop video analysis, inspired by CT methods.
| Club | Number of athletes entered | Podiums earned | Partner brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| WaveRiders | 15 | 5 | GuadaWave |
| Océanik | 12 | 3 | Tropic Surfwear |
| Caraïbes Surf Club | 18 | 2 | Bleu Azur Surf |
| Aloha Gwada | 12 | 0 (2 quarterfinals) | Champion’s Surf |
The results prove the importance of club-shaper-sponsor synergy. For example, Océanik chose carbon tail patches to save 60 g per board, providing crucial responsiveness in hollow sections.
Finally, integrated coaching minimized jet lag and temperature changes, a significant advantage against the autumn fronts in the Landes region.
Case study: Quiksilver Festival, a decisive springboard
A number of Guadeloupeans had already scored at the Quiksilver Festival in Capbreton. This September dress rehearsal allowed them to:
- Test post-storm sandbars.
- Adapt their finely tuned setups to lateral currents.
- Fine-tune their nutrition for the morning cold.
The “event-back-to-back” strategy therefore strengthened the group’s confidence.
Impact on the French scene and upcoming challenges
These performances raise several issues for French surfing:
- How will the national staff integrate (and fund) this Caribbean wave?
- Which selections for the 2026 ISA Junior World Championships?
- What quiver for the La Nord event as early as November? Find the answer in this guide to choosing a board for La Nord.
Mainland French coaches are already studying the secrets of Landes lineups to counter this tropical rise to power.
| Event | Date | Rental | Guadeloupe Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landes QS 3000 | Dec. 2025 | Seignosse | 2 surfers in the top 10 |
| ISA Junior World Championships | May 2026 | Portugal | U16 shortboard final |
| French Longboard Cup | Aug. 2026 | Biarritz | Women’s podium |
| Surf Ranch Training Camp | Oct. 2026 | USA | Perfect progressive airs |
In the short term, mainland clubs will have to contend with this healthy competition, as seen in the frustration of local surfers when conditions get crowded and the Caribbean surfers score the set wave.
Behind the scenes, the Federation is working on a knowledge-sharing model: joint training camps, sister spots, and equipment testing. The goal: raise the overall level, keep French surfers on the podium on the world stage, and preserve the crew spirit above all.
What impact will this have on the local surf economy?
The Guadeloupe hype directly benefits surf shops in the Landes region. At the best surf shop in Hossegor, sales of kids’ soft-tops have jumped 25%, while GuadaWave-branded 3/2 wetsuits are sold out. Bleu Azur Surf and Tropic Surfwear, partners of Caribbean clubs, are riding this visibility to expand their distribution across mainland France.
- Increased demand for ventilated tropical board bags.
- Limited-edition collaborations between shapers in the Landes region and Caraïbes Surf Club.
- Organization of “power carve” clinics sponsored by Champion’s Surf.
This virtuous cycle should benefit the entire coastline, from the Landes to the Caribbean, further strengthening ties between the two scenes.
What are the three titles won by Guadeloupe at the Championships?
Martin Mouradian won gold in open dropknee, Cheyenne Patino-Udeba retained her title in girls’ under-16 shortboard, and Matthew Maurin-Lignières claimed victory in boys’ under-16 shortboard.
Why is the Guadeloupe delegation ranked third nationally?
With 57 competitors, 3 titles, and 10 podium finishes, Guadeloupe earned enough points to reach third place behind the major mainland leagues.
Which Caribbean clubs are driving this golden generation?
WaveRiders, Océanik, Caraïbes Surf Club, and Aloha Gwada make up the winning quartet; they handle talent identification, training, and equipment support.
How should you prepare a board for La Nord in the fall?
Choose a step-up with moderate rocker, centered volume, medium rails, and stiffer side fins; all the details can be found in the dedicated guide.
What upcoming competitions are Guadeloupean surfers targeting?
The Seignosse QS 3000 in December, the ISA World Junior Championships in Portugal in May 2026, and the French Longboard Cup in Biarritz in August 2026 are on the schedule.